Channel-16

UAE Pipeline to Bypass SOH. news18.com/world/uae-anno…

It is a wooden dhow AND all 14 crew have been rescued. Representation should be reasonable and not dramatic.

@Shipsnapx It is a wooden dhow AND all 14 crew have been rescued.

1. 0730 Morning Shipping Brief | 15 May 🚨 BREAKING: IRAN SINKS INDIAN-FLAGGED SHIP OFF OMAN. In a deliberate escalation of its "Leverage" strategy, Iranian forces attacked and sank an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman this morning. The move comes as Tehran frames control of the Strait as a "lever" for global bargaining, despite the U.S. counter-blockade reportedly causing Iran over $5 billion in lost revenue since April.

@Indianinfoguide The project is wonderful, and Oman is stable. Storage capacity could be increased, making India a regional hub for oil storage and transhipment of oil and hopefully gas.

🚨India is fast-tracking a $4.8 billion deep-sea gas pipeline connecting Oman to Gujarat to ensure energy security amid Middle East conflicts.

@gauravcsawant The situation is serious for GCC, even if only partially true. With 75 days of conflict, global recovery could realistically require 75 weeks, equating one week of recovery for each day of war.

Kuwait attacks Iranian boat in Persian Gulf takes 4 Iranian prisoners. Earlier there were reports of Saudi offensive in response to Iranian strikes and UAE launching retaliatory strikes inside Iran causing damage to the Lavan refinery. Arab states sending a clear signal to Iran.

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K Lines, the world’s 2nd-largest ship owner by fleet size, said it is exploring shipbuilding, RORO terminals and inland logistics in India. MOL currently operates 13 Indian-flagged vessels and ranks as India’s 4th-largest ship owner.

How Great Nicobar is emerging as Indias strategic answer to China’s maritime reach indiatoday.in/india-today-in… via @indiatoday

Wonderful 👍 Seafarers on the ships 👏

A few more months of this stalemate war, they will claim the entire gulf :)

splash247.com/panama-canal-s… @SamChambers @Splash_247 Pay Panama Canal Authorities an additional $4 million as auction price for "PRIORITY" transit over and above the standard canal tolls.

@aj_inapi A consortium led by US investment firm BlackRock and Swiss based @MSC_Group_ is to take control of Hong Kong based Hutchison’s ports business AND Panama Ports Company (PPC), which operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at both the Atlantic and Pacific entrances of the canal.

Do you know WHY President Trump went for the Panama Canal first in 2025? Because it wasn’t about nostalgia. It was about WAR, trade, logistics, and stopping China from gaining strategic control in America’s backyard before a larger conflict ever begins. Here’s what most people missed: China never officially “owned” the Panama Canal. The canal itself is operated by Panama’s Canal Authority. BUT… Over the last decade, Chinese-linked companies quietly expanded influence around the canal’s entire ecosystem: • Ports at BOTH ends of the canal • Logistics hubs • Shipping infrastructure • Surveillance tech • Cranes with cybersecurity concerns • Belt & Road projects • Security cooperation • Telecommunications systems By 2025, China had become the canal’s second-largest user and had built enormous leverage around one of the most important trade chokepoints on Earth. That matters because the Panama Canal is not just an economic asset. It’s a military artery. The U.S. Navy depends on rapid Atlantic-Pacific movement. If a future Taiwan conflict erupted, even partial disruption, surveillance, delays, or logistical interference at the canal could become a massive strategic vulnerability for the United States. Trump’s team understood this immediately. That’s why Panama came FIRST. Before Venezuela. Before cartel escalation. Before broader Iran pressure campaigns. Step one was securing the Western Hemisphere’s logistical backbone. And what happened after the pressure campaign? • Panama exited China’s Belt & Road Initiative • Chinese infrastructure deals were reviewed or frozen • U.S.-Panama security cooperation expanded • Hutchison’s port empire came under intense scrutiny • A BlackRock-led U.S. consortium moved to acquire key port assets • Chinese strategic influence around the canal was rolled back WITHOUT war That’s the part mainstream coverage barely explained. The media focused on Trump saying “take back the canal.” But the real strategy was much bigger: Prevent China from building strategic leverage over critical infrastructure in the Americas BEFORE a global crisis forces America into a weaker negotiating position. This was classic “peace through strength” strategy: Secure the chokepoints. Reassert regional dominance. Cut off adversarial expansion early. Force concessions without firing shots. That’s why Panama mattered first. Since you now know, get the next generation to know the importance of this maritime choke point.

In Alaska 🌅

@singhalnaveens My experiences with Capt P C Merna has been very positive and fruitful. He addresses all concerns and queries very promptly despite his hectic schedule. Capt Clifton MISC Marine India .

An Indian Master was recently arrested in a foreign port for no rhyme or reason. It appears that he was a victim of a dispute between the Ship Owner and Charterer. Late in the night, the DPA of the company called me for assistance. I immediately contacted Capt. P. C. Meena, DGMA (DDG Crewing) @dgshipping_IN and sought his help. Thanks to the prompt intervention by Capt. Meena, the Master, was released from custody in less than 24 hours. Truly appreciate the swift response and proactive support extended by Capt. Meena and @dgshipping_IN DGMA staff. This incident underscores the importance of timely support and coordinated action by Indian authorities to safeguard the welfare and protection of Indian seafarers working on ships in international waters. 🫡👏🏼🙏🏽 @sarbanandsonwal @MEABharat @shipmin_india

@chakranewz We should have commenced it 65 years back in the 1960's when the Government started rehabilitation, bringing settlers from mainland India, including refugees and ex-servicemen.

Why is the Great Nicobar transshipment port possibly India’s most important strategic project? “Leave economics and military aside for a moment. It is first and foremost a great strategic project,” says VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh (R). Dominating one of the world’s busiest maritime choke points, Great Nicobar could become India’s gateway to the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia over the next 20–30 years. “You look at the map. It’s right there. Galathea Bay is the centre point..... We should have commenced this project 20 years ago.” Catch the full conversation here: youtu.be/TunJz3baXzA #India #GreatNicobar #IndianOcean #Geopolitics #BIMSTEC #Maritime #AndamanNicobar #Strategy #IndiaChina @SandeepUnnithan @awasthi_bob @i_DeepakBhadana @SanjayJSingh1

@gauravcsawant Lengthy deployment of naval ships can significantly increase crew fatigue and accelerate wear and tear on machinery and onboard systems.

Epic Fury is Epic Disaster for the US. Displays limits of the best weapons & exposes claims of best training & tactics in on ground operations. Opening the Strait of Hormuz was not even the primary agenda of conflict. The Strait was open on Feb 27 before the war started Feb 28.

Spectacular photo! MIRV-ed A5

splash247.com/when-the-sea-s… Is the inability to restrain member states from transforming navigable sea lanes into political arenas attributable to the @wto, @WHO, or the maritime regulator @IMOHQ? @Seatrade @SamChambers @Splash_247

Tourist attractions like Lakes, rivers, dam reservoirs etc need an upgrade of boat and cruise safety standards, so as to minimise the intensity & probability of such incidents. @irclass has the expertise, national reach & human resources to streamline this sector with the support of @dgshipping_IN

@Osint613 Unilateral control of SOH beyond UNCLOS & traditional Customary laws will not be acceptable even to the best of Iran's Asian allies.

NEW 🔴 Two U.S. Navy destroyers were sighted off the UAE coast inside the Persian Gulf, indicating they moved through Iran’s declared “blockade.” Embarrassing for the IRGC navy.